Office of the Chief_ Army Reserve

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Office of the Chief, Army Reserve
Army Reserve Communications
1421 Jefferson Davis HWY
Arlington, VA 22202
NEWS RELEASE:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 09-18-07
For more information contact:
SFC Derrick Witherspoon (Derrick.Witherspoon@us.army.mil)
Phone: 703-601-0869 / Fax: 703-601-0839
Army commissions vessel named after African-
American Civil War hero, S.C. statesman
Story by SFC Derrick Witherspoon
OCAR-ARC
BALTIMORE (Sept. 15) – Years of dedication, determination, love and respect
culminated recently in the commissioning of the Army Reserve’s first vessel named after
an African-American: U.S. Army Vessel Maj. Gen. Robert Smalls (Logistics Support
Vessel-8).
The logistics support vessel, which was christened in April 2004, is the Army’s most
recent acquisition and the largest vessel currently in the Army’s floating inventory. It’s
operated by the Army Reserve’s Baltimore based 203rd Transportation Detachment,
which has the Army’s only crew licensed to operate the vessel.
The commissioning at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, attended by a number of Smalls’
family members, supporters and crew of the ship, was held to honor Smalls’ heroic
actions in the Civil War. Smalls was 23 years old in 1862 when he led a revolt with his
wife and a dozen other slaves. They commandeered the confederate vessel Planter and
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sailed it past armed, unfriendly outposts to the nearest Union blockade vessel, where
Smalls surrendered it.
The following year, for his courage and daring under fire aboard Planter, Smalls was
made the first black captain of a U.S. vessel. He later became a legislator in South
Carolina and a militia general. He served five terms in Congress and became the
Collector of Customs in Beaufort, S.C., where he lived, ironically, in the house where he
had once been a slave.
A key force in convincing the Army to name the vessel for Smalls, Kitt Alexander, of
the Robert Smalls Legacy Foundation, worked for more than 11 years to restore his name
to national acclaim.
“This is the kind of boat that general Smalls took from the Confederates – a working
boat – and he would have been proud and honored to have witnessed this ceremony
today,” said Alexander. “After hearing his story from his great-granddaughter, Dolly
Nash, I thought someone should do something in honor of this man. One day I finally
realized that person was me, and that’s when I started my crusade in support of general
Smalls.”
Alexander said she first requested the Navy name a ship after Smalls because she did
not know the Army had ships, but once the Army heard her story and what she was trying
to do, she said they were more than obliged to help her.
“This is a great day for the Army,” said Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, chief, U.S. Army
Reserve, during the commissioning. “Robert Smalls had a passion for freedom and
liberty, and we have Soldiers who are fighting for our freedom every day. So, for the
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Army Reserve to have in its inventory a ship that bears the name of someone with that
passion for freedom sets a great example for our Soldiers.”
U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC) was also present at the commissioning. He said
that we all owe a great debt of gratitude to Smalls for the legacy that he left behind,
especially concerning his establishment of free public education for children. He added
that the USAV Maj. Gen. Robert Smalls (LSV-8) will always stand as a testament to
Smalls’ accomplishments.
Speaking on behalf of Smalls’ family at the commissioning was Freddie Meyer,
Smalls’ great-great grandson. Meyer said he was extremely honored to be part of the
ceremony.
“This is a monumental and historic event,” said Meyer. “It’s great to know that my
great-great grandfather is being honored this way. Our family is very thankful for what
Kitt has done to make all of this happen, and we are also thankful to the Army for
honoring our grandfather like this.”
Alexander said she is also thankful to the Army and Army Reserve for their support in
making the commissioning happen.
“If you use Robert Smalls as a role model, you are unstoppable,” said Alexander,
speaking to the crowd at the ceremony. “I used him and look at where we are today.”
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